Moving House with Children: Keeping Them Calm, Happy and Involved

Telling Children About the Move

Tell children as soon as a move is confirmed — even young children cope better when given time to process change. Avoid vague language or evasion, which amplifies anxiety. Be positive, specific and honest: where you're moving, approximately when, and what the new house is like. If possible, take them to see the new house before moving day.

Involving Children in the Process

Give children an age-appropriate role in the move. Young children love packing their own box of toys and carrying it to the van. Older children can be given responsibility for labelling boxes for their room. Teenagers can help with research — best local cafés, parks nearby, what the area's like. Involvement reduces the feeling that the move is something being done to them.

Maintaining Routines

Where possible, maintain normal routines around the disruption of moving day — same mealtimes, same bedtime. After the move, prioritise getting children's bedrooms set up first so they have a familiar, comfortable space as quickly as possible. A familiar duvet, favourite toys and a bedside lamp make a new room feel like home remarkably quickly.

Changing Schools

If the move involves a school change, arrange a pre-move visit to the new school if the school can accommodate this. Many schools will introduce a new child to their class and buddy them with a peer for the first week. Give the new school as much notice as possible to allow them to prepare properly.

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